Remember: dry skin = warm skin. However, this can be difficult to manage when you are also hiking up a steep trail with a heavy pack on your back. A healthy body perspires constantly to cool itself off. As the perspiration evaporates, it transfers excess heat away from your skin along with the moisture. Conversely, to stay warm, you need to stay dry. How do you do it?

The answer is found in the first layer of clothing, the one worn against your skin. It should be made of any one of a variety of fibers that are “hydrophilic,” or good at absorbing water, and be thin enough to fit comfortably under your other clothes. The fibers could be wool, or a synthetic material, such as polyolefin (once called polypropolene). There are many brands of long underwear on the market these days. Shop around to find the ones that fit your budget and feel comfortable against your skin.

Besides being absorbent, the “wicking” action in these fibers is also important. “Wicking” means the fibers pull the perspiration away from your body and allow it to evaporate without chilling your skinˇŞa potentially deadly situation under some circumstances in the wilderness.

(While it’s true that cotton is hydrophilic, it is not good at wicking the moisture away from your body. Do not use it as a first layer.)

I have an old set of lightweight wool/nylon blend underwear that I’ve used for years. However, many of my friends swear by the new fibers. And a few, such as Trevira Proearth , made by Hoechst-Celanese, are even good for the environment: they’re made out of recycled plastic bottles!

Another alternative is silk. Many shops sell silk long-johns that are extremely soft, lightweight, and surprisingly warm. However, be prepared to pay a premium price for a pair of silk long underwear.

Layer Two: “Trail Clothes”

These are the shirts, shorts, pants, etc. that function well on and off the trail. The recent rise in popularity of “rugged outdoor clothing” for general use ensures you’ll have a wide variety of styles, colors and fabrics to choose from.

In addition to long underwear, plan on taking one pair of pants, one pair of shorts, one long-sleeved cotton shirt and maybe a t-shirt, depending on the length of the trip. Some manufacturers make versatile “pant-shorts” combinations: long pants with zip-off legs. These are especially good for trips where the weather is extremely changeable throughout the day.

If there’s any chance of encountering enough water for swimming, grab a simple swim suit to take alongˇŞthey are light and do not take up much space. (Of course, depending on where you go and who you travel with, you may not need a swim suit at all.)

I recommend you get pants with enough pockets for carrying all those little things that get lost in backpacks: Swiss Army Knife, compass, lip moisturizer, etc. And avoid 100% cotton knit tee-shirtsˇŞ they tend to get wet from prespiration and stay wet, not to mention stretched out from your backpack straps. (Maybe carry one to sleep in.) Look for a good cotton twill shirt.

For the budget conscious, or those of you with fast-growing families, take a look at the clothing that’s offered in the specialty shops, figure out what features, styles, etc. you desire, then see if you can find what you want at a better price in other locations. I’ve found some great trail clothes in second hand stores, including “name brand” pants and shirts that sell for $25 and up in outdoor retail specialty stores. These were in great condition, and cost a fraction of what they would have cost if purchased new.

There are also outdoor discount or “factory seconds” discount outlets in many cities all across the country. Check the phone books or talk to your backpacking friends for leads to these bargain stores.

Layer Three: Outwear

This is the layer that protects you against rain, snow, and extreme cold. It includes raingear, insulated parkas, sweaters and jackets, and a variety of accessories, such as hats, gloves, and gaiters. This layer is wind- and waterproof, designed to keep you warm and dry from the outside in (as opposed to Layer One, which keeps you dry from the inside out), under a variety of weather conditions. Once again, to save money and keep yourself comfortable under variable conditions, it’s important to think in terms of layering.

As you might guess, these specialized bags can cost from $200-$350 on up, and are often too insulated for use in anything but extremely cold conditions, such as minus 15 degrees. So unless you’re planning an expedition, or money is no object, consider using less expensive ways of adding warmth to a bag. These methods include the use of exterior covers and inner liners.

A waterproof bivy sack surrounding the outside of a sleeping bag will help it retain heat, and prevent the bag from getting dirty and damp from dew or condensation. If you’re not using a tent, bivy sacks are especially useful for keeping the wind and dampness away from your bag. But condensation can occur even inside a tent, where your warm breath (which is full of water droplets) condenses in the cool air and settles back down on your sleeping bag during the night. If it’s very cold outside, you might even wake up to find your bag covered with a thin layer of ice.

An inner liner made of silk, cotton or cotton/polyester blend material will also help retain a little more heat, and keep your sleeping bag cleaner and drier from the inside out. It will prevent dirt and body oils from building up inside the bag. Liners are also good to use because your body perspires a little even during sleep. These liners absorb that perspiration and, once you get home, are much easier to wash than your bag.
It’s smart to “air out” your sleeping bag in the morning, if the weather allows it. Unzip it fully and lay it out on a rock or other dry, flat surface in the sunlight, turning it from one side to the other. This will help dry any condensation on the outside, or perspiration on the inside, and retain the all-important loft to keep you warm the following night.

This method is a little artificial, since the weight of the bags are concentrated into a small area. In real life, your gear will distribute the weight over a larger area inside the pack, but it is a good way to help determine how to adjust the pack so it will fit your body when loaded for the trail.

When properly fitted you should be able to hike along the trail at about a one mile per hour rate, depending on terrain, elevation gains, etc. Your pack should be adjusted so that no part of it rubs uncomfortably against your shoulders or back or bumps against your head. The waist belt should be adjusted so that it rides on your hipbones and doesn’t slip too low or ride up and squeeze your stomach. The sternum strap should cross below your clavicles on your chest, across your breastbone, not up high where it could choke you (don’t laughˇŞI have seen this happen!). Do not hesitate to adjust your pack as you hike along, and be sure to learn how to shift the weight by tightening and loosening compression straps.-readjusting shoulder straps, cinching up the waist belt, etc. etc.. These minor re-adjustment slightly redistribute the weight and can help prevent any one part of your body from becoming fatigued. Be sure to learn how to do this since it will be up to YOU to adjust and keep your pack comfortable during your trip. Only you can tell what feels best.

Adding or subtracting thick clothing, hiking through changing terrain, and even changes in temperature may require readjusting the fit of your pack. Hiking up- or downhill will cause the weight of the pack to shift slightly and require moderate adjustments. If it’s very hot and you’re wearing an internal frame pack and perspiring heavily, it’s nice to loosen the shoulder straps a bit and let some air circulate over your back and cool you off, but be carefulˇŞdo not loosen the straps too much so the pack becomes unstable.

Also, there should be a small space between the top of your shoulders and the shoulder straps. In other words, the weight of the pack is not being supported by your shouldersˇŞit should be supported by your hips. Your hips are much stronger and are better designed to support a heavy load than your shoulders. Shoulders will quickly grow tired and sore if they are carrying a lot of weight.

One “early warning sign” of an improperly fitted backpack that is placing too much weight on the shoulders is numb, weak or tingling arms or hands. This indicates that the blood circulation from your shoulders to your arms and hands is being disrupted. If you feel this tingling starting, first try elevating your hands (I like to hold onto the sternum strap). If that helps you may not need to adjust the pack. But if your arms or hands stay numb or feel weak, it’s time to stop and adjust the shoulder straps, to relieve pressure on your upper body.

You should be able to look up without hitting your head on the internal backpack or external frame. Many external frames have a cross bar at the top that are slightly curved to allow your head more movement. You should also be able to stand up and feel evenly balanced once all the equipment is loaded in the pack. If you feel pulled to one side or the other, or maybe even feel like you are falling over backward, reduce or redistribute the weight accordingly.

Here are a few basic items every kit should include:

- Adhesive tape (for holding dressings in place)
- Adhesive foam (for padding blisters & hot spots)
- Antiseptic cleanser (betadine, Bactine, etc’
- Bandaids (various sizes for minor wounds)
- Gauze pads (for cleaning and dressing larger wounds)
- Latex gloves (to protect your hands when treating injuries)
- Medications: Do not forget to include over-the-counter painkillersˇŞibuprofen is a popular anti-inflammatory for hikers.
Also bring antibiotic cream, and betadine or other wound cleanser. If you are traveling with children bring children’s strength medications such as aspirin, tylenol, etc., and carefully read directions on all medications before use.
- “Extractor” snake & insect bite kit (for removing venom)
- “Moleskin” or “Second Skin” (for covering blisters and wound?)
- Pre-moistened towelettes. For cleaning away dirt from around a wound, and cleaning hands before treating other people’s wounds.
- Splints (for immobilizing sprains and broken bones)
- Scissors (for cutting bandages, moleskin, etc.)
- Small flashlight (should already be part of “Essentials” kit)
- “Space blanket” (for keeping injured person warm)
- Thermometers (one for hypothermia as well as fevers)
- Tweezers
- Needles (for lancing blisters, removing deep splinters)

If you begin taking longer trips into more remote areas, or are traveling with someone with allergies, take a course in wilderness medicine and learn how to safely use the following supplies that would be included in more advanced kits:

- “Epi-pen.” Easily administered emergency epinephrine for allergic reactionsˇŞrecommended for anyone with a history of allergies to bee stings, poison ivy, etc.
- Oral rehydration supplies (for extreme diarrhea & dehydration)
- Sterile saline solution (for cleansing deep or dirty wounds).
- Oral antibiotics if infection is a concern and you are far from help.
- Prescription painkillers (for serious injuries)

The next thing that often happens is a lost hiker gets scared. If it is late in the day, beginning to get cold and dark, panic may set in. Most cases of poor judgment result from panic, when adrenalinˇŞnot common senseˇŞtakes over the decision making process.

Once again, the answer to this problem is in prevention. Always carry a map and compass and learn how to use them. Take a class in orienteering and learn how to navigate through changing terrain. You can also take a basic map reading class, teaching you to interpret topographic maps (commonly called “topos”) that show the three-dimensional landscape in a one-dimensional format. Learn how to take a compass bearing and navigate from one point to another.

If you are new to map reading, and worried that you won’t be able to figure out how to do it, remember: you’ve probably already learned how to read various types of maps. True, “topos” look a bit different than road maps, but much of the information is the same. These maps are prepared by the US Geological Survey, and show not only roads, towns, etc., but changes in elevation, type of terrain, longitude and latitude, and a few other features you do not need on a street map.

Every topo map has a legend in one corner that describes which way is north and defines the various colors, solid vs. dotted lines, etc. that are found on the map. The legend is the first thing to readˇŞ it explains all the other symbols, marks, etc. It also names the area that is described (e.g., “Little Olancha Peak”) and what the scale of the map is. The “scale” is used to convert one unit of size on the map to one unit of size on the ground. Typical scales are 1″:250,000″, which calculates out to 1 inch on the map equaling approximately 250,000 inches on the ground (roughly 4 miles), or 1:62,500, which means 1 inch on the map represents approximately 1 mile (63,300 inches) on the ground. Usually, the greater the scale, the less detail on a map, so if you intend to try some “off-trail” explorations, get a 1:62,500 or better scale map.

Once you’ve looked at the legend to determine the scale, you can estimate distances.

Notice the various lines on the map. There are grid lines crisscrossing the map, which represent latitude (running east to west) and longitude (running north to south) lines. Notice the contour lines that indicate changes in elevation. A series of concentric contour lines represents a mountain or hill. The closer together the lines are, the more rapid the change in elevation. A sheer cliff will be represented by lines spaced very close together, sometimes nearly touching one another, while gently sloping terrain will be represented by lines spaced very far apart.

Depending on the scale, each line can mean a change in elevation of 60 feet, 100 feet, 500 feet, so on. (Foreign maps and some specialty USGS maps are scaled in meters. Those are called “metric maps. The contour lines typically represent 20, 40 or 100 meter intervals.)

One way to imagine how these look in three dimensions is to mentally picture these lines as the edges of sections of earth stacked on top of one another, like the layers of a wedding cake.

Also note the various colored lines that indicate trails (typically dotted black lines) rivers, and streams, and the symbols indicating trees, buildings, lakes, etc. These symbols vary from map to map, so it’s important to read the legend. Also check the date to see if the information is current.

Practice your map reading skills during breaks along your hike. Find a good vantage point and pull out your map. Use your compass to orient the map to the direction you are facing, and practice matching up various hills, canyons, streams, etc. to the symbols on the map. Find your location along the trail, and estimate the distance you’ve come, how long it’s taken you to get there, and how much farther you have to go. Make map reading a routine part of your trip, and soon it won’t seem like a foreign language.

When you leave your campsite, look around before you go. Identify a distinctive mountain peak, outcrop of boulders, or a/tall dead tree of unique enough shape to stand outˇŞsomething that is easily distinguishable and can be seen from a distance. Then use these landmarks to help guide you back to where you started once you’ve completed your side trip.

Items Needed:

• Eye shadow brush
• Eye Shadows
• Loose powder
• Cosmetic puff

Section 1 Title:

Apply Eye Shadow

Steps:

Step 1

Prepare the base of the eyelids by dusting some loose powder. The loose powder helps make the proper base to do eye make up by applying eye shadows.

Step 2

Choose a light colored eye shadow for the base. Use a shadow brush and put it across the eye lid. The eye shadow should be put from the lash line to the brows.

Step 3

Select a medium toned eye shadow which is to be used to cover the lower part of the eye lid.

Step 4

Line the crease of the eyelid using a dark colored eye shadow. This should be applied by using a smaller eye shadow brush. The same color can also be used as an eye liner.

Step 5

Use an eye shadow brush and blend the eye shadow using very light strokes and also very gently. Be careful and do not use your finger as that could completely wipe off the eye shadow instead of blending it.

Step 6

Take a cosmetic puff and some pressed powder.  This should be used to tone down the heavy eye shadow. Take powder in the puff and shake off the excess powder. Then press the puff gently on the eye shadow.

Tip:

Proper colors of eye shadow should be used which complement the outfit and also highlight the natural eye color. Blend the eye shadows properly.

Warning:

No dark color of the eye shadow should be applied on the brow bone unless it’s a neutral color. Use the base carefully. The eye shadow should be blended properly else the eyes look blotchy. The eyes should not look mismatched with improper colors and wrong application.

A Superb Date

Every girl has a dream date whether she agrees to that or not. It can be set in a movie like scene of a fancy restaurant with roses and a bit of champagne. It could be in a cozy cafe, sipping espressos there after watching an indie movie . If you know your girlfriend well you would have a clearer idea of exactly what a perfect date for her can be. Of course money can’t buy you love but it can give you an opportunity for a worth while valentine’s day. You must therefore make reservations in advance by buying flowers , serenade her and whatever you think she will find romantic.

Take A Small Vacation

Plan a romantic gateway weekend with your girlfriend in a place where you can spend some memorable time with her. It’s not a must you go out of town, you can just find a quiet place far away from the normal hustle and bustle. Remember to go to a place that the reputation is good either you have been recommended by a reliable person or you have been there. Make sure that your girlfriend likes the place, you might take her to the beach and maybe she’s allergic to sand. A planned getaway guarantees an enjoyable time with your partner.

Accomplish Something Unexpected

Most of the times couples have been together for a very long time and know each other well that there are no surprises in their relationship and personalities. Valentine’s Day can be the chance for you to show her a rare part of you. It can be as simple as buying a guitar and showing up at her place then serenading her.

Be One In a Million

Buy her some customed jewelry. Usually girls have a favorite precious metal and precious stone therefore you can use preferences when purchasing her a jewelry. You can engrave her name on a ring, a necklace or even a bracelet. Obtain jewelry with your name on hers and her name on yours, most girls love this idea.

A Sysmbolism To Show Your Love

You can take your girlfriend to an animal shelter if she adores animals and assist her to pick a pet to take home. You can also declare that you will take care of the pet also. Sharing responsibility you both adore strengthens and deepens a relationship.

Shower Her

Pampering your girlfriend by taking her out for shopping without whining and even offering to pay some of the bill. Pampering can include giving her messages, a bath and a complete dose of oils, lotions and beauty products that she adores. This also includes taking care of her the entire day from the simple to major chores in the house.

A Present Of Luxury

Get her something that she rarely gets or loves the most like bags or shoes. Something that she has always desired.

Do Not go For The Obvious

More often than not,the gifts you give include jewelry, a romantic candle lit dinner or flowers. The best christmas gift for her should be the one that will reflect her needs at the moment. Since you know her well  regardless of the duration of time that you have been together choose something that has sentimental meaning to her and it will be appreciated .The jewelry and flowers save them for really desperate times.

What Are  Her Needs

A serious boyfriend is keen on his girlfriend’s gifts. If she is  tired or stressed with work you can go on a vacation together so that she unwinds. If her pet dog needs a house and she does not have the time to build it,consider doing it for her. This reveals your thoughtfulness  on things that are important to her. The   gift is  memorable because you came through for her during her time of need and helped to address the specific problem she was experiencing at the time.

Consider Her Interests and Hobbies

Her hobbies and interests provide an easy clue as to what you will give her. This can be something that she has never owned or one that will make her improve on her skills or her collection. For example if she plays an acoustic guitar, buy her an electric one. If she loves astrology consider buying her a deck of cards. The gift will be utilized.

What Does She Want

When you are in a shopping mall, what does she spend most of her time looking at? When a girl picks up something and mulls over it  then puts it down be sure she is interested in it. She may  also mention about being interested in owning something but due to the  extravagant price  she is unable. For example an expensive bottle of perfume. When you buy her something that she was interested in you,she will be amazed by your memory and thus make the gift more meaningful.

Make it For Her

Your girlfriend will surely love a gift that is made specially for her alone as it makes her feel that it is hers alone and no one can take it from her. It can be a simple act as just engraving her name on the gift.. It can be a romantic thing like naming  a star with her name. It can also be such a thoughtful thing as donating  in her name to a charitable organization that she likes.

Think about his  own interests

One interesting bit about the whole episode is that no matter what you give him, he will eventually appreciate the efforts you made. However for such a special person,one will endeavor to find something unique and very special. Having known you father for a while or a long time,you will consider several option when buying a gift. It can range from art,nice cologne, a shirt or treat him to a vacation somewhere. When buying the gifts, try to identify his strong interest,likes and dislikes so that you can know where to start from. Always remember that fathers’ day is really special to your dad,  treat him like a king.

Consider your budget

Most people will want something special for their fathers wherever they are.  Before shopping it is important that you save and plan what you already have. This will make work a lot easier as opposed to going shopping with borrowed money. When you have your budget ready,hit the road and do some window shopping at least so that you can compare prices. Window shopping will help you cut on your budget because prices will always vary from one shop to another.

Go sporty

Most men compared to women loves one sport or the other. It can be football, rugby, basketball or even golf. One of the ways you can get them happy is maybe to give them a ticket to one of there favorites sport. For example the upcoming football world cup in South Africa. You can just be a step forward in helping them realize the dream of their life.

Make something personalized

Giving a gift that is unique and personalized can be so breath taking. You can have his favorite car re-painted exactly as he has always wanted. You can also have a shirt specifically designed for him with his initials on. Personalization of gifts actually makes the gift more appealing to the receiver.

Choosing safe options

Life is full of its’ ups and down and sometimes you find that you have lost touch with your father. It is important that in choosing your father’s gift, choose something that  may make him cheerful,  lively say it. In the event that your father has lost touch with his colleagues you can do him a great favor by choosing to pay for him club membership for his old club  where he could visit and still meet his old pals.

If you a haven’t talked for along while, you can choose a unique card with warm words. Also reminding someone that they are still very dear to you is of paramount importance. You can use words such as “I love you” or “I miss you so much daddy” among other warm-sounding words. It may look like other words but trust me, this will have a special impact to him.

The Plan

These kind of parties are not  easy to organize. One requires laborious planning and celebrant should not know. Make sure all is well arranged. The most important thing to the celebrant is not the surprise but a well organized party. This means that even if the celebrant becomes privy of the surprise party you have to make sure that all goes as planned To achieve this one need to follow the following;

Location- This relate to geographical location of the venue of the surprise. This is a very critical factor when it comes to a surprise party. The location should be comfortable for both the person the party is being organized for and the guests who will be invited. It should always be a place where the celebrant’s interests are closely enmeshed. However it should not be a place where he or she is familiar with or where he or she frequent most.. The fact that is a new place makes the whole idea very exciting.

Time and Date- The time relate to night or during the day while date means which day in the calendar. The best time to organize a surprise party is during weekend  and holidays. This is because people have all the night to enjoy. If your intention is to achieve something unique and unexpected plan your party at an odd day and time, this make the whole idea a surprise. You can arrange the party with the superiors of the people who are cerebrating so that you do not put his or her profession in jeopardy.

The cast- Who are going to be involved and who will play a part in making sure that the surprise is well executed? Please note that for maximum achievement of results make sure that some of the planners and guests participates in roles in arranging the party and preserving the surprise. Find a car to drive the celebrant to the venue of the party. Find a team that will take care of food and drinks.  Another group should be assigned  to arrange the venue. A creative group of individuals should take the role of buying accessories that will be needed at the party. This can include a gift that the celebrant will maximally enjoy.

Having the above three elements in place your work of executing the surprise party becomes easy. It is important to note that everything need to be in place before the due date. Coordinate with all the people involved to avoid the last minute disappointment.

Execute well

The success of a surprise party can only be ascertained by an excellent and well managed plan. Whether the celebrant gets the idea that a surprise party is being organized for him or her he or she will still appreciate. Prepare something splendid and you will achieve the maximum goal. If need be, put everything down on a piece of paper and those expected to perform specific roles against their.